Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Woodbridge - On Friday, Mommy celebrated her birthday!!! Ryan showered Mommy with lots of love and presents. He got her turtle salt and pepper shakers as well as new computer games!! Daddy got her a brand new Kate Spade handbag!! Mommy also got two cakes...a cookie cake and a red velvet cake! All in all it was a good day!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Orlando, Fl - Our last day of vacation was spent shopping and packing. We went to Downtown Disney in the morning to get a few extra souveniers to take home. We also got some delicious Mickey cookies.

Downtown Disney has World of Disney. It is the largest store of Disney merchandise. If it is Disney, you can probably find it in that store. Mommy was able to find the Halloween flag she was looking for. We got Ryan a monorail and even a treat for Bel Bel.

The rest of the day was spent at the condo relaxing and packing. Believe it or not, we were able to get all of our goods into the suitcases and get them all home. Hopefully it will arrive safely.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Orlando, Fl - When we left magic Kingdom yesterday, we did not feel we finished everything we wanted to do, so we went back this morning. We picked up some of the things we just could not do yesterday. We had to pick up Ryan's personalized ears. We started by going on the Winnie the Pooh ride. That was adorable. We wrapped up that side of the park with the Haunted Mansion.

We headed over to ride Big Thunder Mountain, but we saw Donald and had to stop to say hello. Then we realized it was almost time for the Country Bear Jamboree...isn't it tradition to see that when you go to Disney World? Finally, Mommy and Daddy rode Big Thunder Mountain. After that, we headed for the gate. Before we left, we did just a little shopping.

Our next stop was Disney's Hollywood Studios. One of Ryan's favorite characters resides here...Handy Manny. We watched the Disney Junior show (with Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates). Handy Manny was the only one Ryan really cared about. Right after the show we were even able to go meet (and get an autograph) with Handy Manny.

Back to the center of the park we headed and got the great movie ride. It was a really neat history of movies. By the time that finished it was time for the afternoon parade of Pixar characters. We saw the Incredibles, Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., Up, and Toy Story. Ryan was so excited to see the familiar faces go by. He was also excited when we went to visit with Lightning McQueen and TowMater (or as he calls it, Car Racing).

We finished up the day in the Pixar area where we met a Green Army Man. He even signed Ryan's autograph book as "Green Army Man".

This was our last day in one of Mickey's houses. We visited Mickey's Animals (Animal Kingdom), Mickey's Golf Ball (Epcot), Mickey's House (Magic Kingdom) and Mickey's Movies (Hollywood Studios). Tomorrow is our last day and we will again visit Mickey's Store (Downtown Disney).

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Orlando, Fl - Today was a magical day...we went to Magic Kingdom. It really was magical. It is amazing to walk into the gate, right onto Main Street USA. Straight down the street, there sits Cinderella's Castle. Seeing pictures never does that justice. It is so amazing to walk up and through the castle right over to Fantasy Land.

We started our day by meeting Cinderella's ugly step-sisters and step-mother. They asked Ryan if he were going to grow up to be king and he said yes. The step-sisters wanted to marry him if that were the case. One of them even planted a big kiss on his cheek.

The first thing we rode was Dumbo. We moved onto Prince Charming's Carousel, then to Snow White's Scary Adventure, then to Peter Pan and finally at It's a Small World. Ryan liked It's a Small World so much that we got right back in line and rode it again.

Ryan, Mommy and Daddy spun around in the Teacups and then we headed to the Tomorrowland Speedway. Mommy and Ryan got in the car, and Mommy was going to drive. The attendant said for Ryan to drive. Needless to say, he is no where near ready for his license. He has a very bad habit of just taking his hands off the wheel to look at something going by.

While Ryan slept, Mommy and Daddy rode Space Mountain...woooooooooooo. Also during nap time, we got one of those famous Florida rain showers. Once he woke, Mommy and Daddy rode Splash Mountain. We wrapped up the day meeting Woody and Jessie. As we left the park, Ryan and Daddy scarfed down a Mickey waffle. Mommy was able to get a funnel cake...yum.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Orlando, Fl - Today we headed straight for Epcot or as Ryan calls it, Mickey's golf ball. Once we arrived, we immediately met Stitch and Daisy. We headed straight onto Spaceship Earth. This is the ride inside the golf ball.

After finishing up with the ride, we went to visit Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy again. Ryan got all of the autographs and had a picture with each.

Then we were off to see Nemo and Crush. We rode through a cool Nemo ride in a clam shell and then sat and had a chat with Crush. He is totally awesome dude.

By this time, the World Showcase had opened. There are 11 countries represented and you can get a stamp in each. The countries include Canada, the UK, Japan, Germany, France, the USA, Mexico, China and Norway. Ryan, Daddy and Grammy got fish and chips in the UK...Mommy just had chips. Here we also met Alice (she gave Ryan a big kiss on the cheek and left her lipstick behind), Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Belle and Marie from "Aristcats". There were neat street performances and an amazing attention to detail.

After finishing up, we headed back home to clean up and get ready for the Mainstreet Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom. We got there 45 minutes early and claimed our spot along Main Street. The floats passed us by with thousands of lights and cool characters. We saw all the usual Disney characters and the princess, as well as Peter Pan and Pinnochio. Pinnochio even teased Ryan about sucking his thumb.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Orlando, FL - What a fun day at our first Disney park. We started out early (after a breakfast in) to see Animal Kingdom. The landscape was beautiful, very tropical and green with a sprinkling of colorful flowers. When we activated our tickets, they gave us buttons for our first visit and a button for Mommy because it is her birthday week. (If you ever want anyone to wish you a Happy Birthday, wear that in a Disney park all day and every Disney employee will recognize your special day...I mean all of them).

We headed straight to the back of the park and took the Kilimanjaro Safari. There we saw birds, elephants, giraffes, lions and hippos. The animals were so close, even a giraffe was right outside of our truck. It was an awesome experience.

After the safari, Ryan met his first character. We found Terk from Lion King. He was the first to sign Ryan's autograph book. Ryan also met Baloo and the King Louie from Jungle Book. We also watched the Finding Nemo show. It was a half hour version of the movie done with live action characters and puppets on sticks. It was really cool.

After Daddy rode Exhibition Everest and eating lunch, we headed to DinoLand. A first stop was to meet Goofy and Pluto. They were very lovable and were also excited for Mommy's birthday. Ryan and Mommy got in line to ride the little dinosaurs and then it started raining...and it poured and poured...and poured. We had to buy a towel because Ryan's stroller got soaking wet and we hung out in a rides covered waiting area for 30+ minutes waiting for the rain to clear out, and it did.

Once the sun came out, it was time for the parade. The parade was full of beautiful floats and other things that were like animals. We also saw lots of Disney characters drive by. Goofy, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse and Mickey each had their own car. Many that walked past came up and said hello to Ryan. Even several wished Mommy a Happy Birthday while parading by.

We finished the day in Camp Mickey and Minnie. Ryan had a chance to FINALLY meet Mickey Mouse. He was excited to get his autograph. He also met Goofy (again) and Donald Duck and then met Thumper and Pocahontas.

We arrived back to our condo for a night of relaxation and lasagna. Ryan ran around like a crazy man and then took a bath in the biggest tub he has ever been in. We are excited to venture out again tomorrow.